Study finds cranberry juice really is a potent preventative against UTIs

Urinary tract infections are a fact of life. Everybody gets one at some point or another in their life. So everyone's almost certainly heard the old wives' tale that cranberry juice is the best solution and that it can be a powerful preventative against future infections.

There was no real evidence to support the claims that cranberry juice was able to help prevent infections but science now backs that butter red drink really can act as a potent prophylactic against future infections.

In April 2023, researchers from Flinders University published the results of a global study which found that cranberries really can help cure and reduce the frequency of repeated urinary tract infections.

Children received the most benefits from cranberry juice or other cranberry supplements with the study finding “a reduced risk of repeat symptomatic UTIs” by more than half. 

Those who were at risk of urinary tract infections after a medical intervention also benefited from cranberries and saw a 53% reduction in repeat symptomatic infections. 

Cranberries also proved to be beneficial for women and reduced their risks of a urinary tract infection by up to one-quarter. Unfortunately, no dedicated results for men were listed. 

The study was published in the journal Cochrane Reviews and looked at data from 9000 participants that spanned 50 recent studies on cranberries and their potential benefits. 

“This incredible result didn’t really surprise us, as we’re taught that when there’s more and better evidence, the truth will ultimately come out,” said Dr. Gabrielle Williams said, referencing previous studies that found no evidence cranberries were helpful in reducing UTIs. 

Williams was the lead author of the study and added that urinary tract infections were a common and horrible affliction that affected roughly one-third of women and as many elderly, as well as people suffering from spinal cord-related bladder issues and other conditions.

Dr. Jaqueline Stephens was a co-author of the study and explained in a media release that UTIs aren’t a major medical issue for most people and they can be easily treated with antibiotics. But others can suffer from chronic recurring infections. 

“Unfortunately, in some people, UTIs keep coming back. Without being sure if or how it works, some healthcare providers began suggesting [cranberries] to their patients,” Dr. Stephans said. 

“It was a harmless, easy option at the time. Even centuries ago, Native Americans reportedly ate cranberries for bladder problems,” the study’s co-author added. 

Dr. Stephens noted that if a urinary tract infection is left untreated it can find its way into the kidneys and cause all sorts of problems which could lead to sepsis in severe cases. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are a few key factors that can increase your risk of getting a urinary tract infection—including age, poor hygiene, previous history of infection, and changes in genital bacteria levels. 

The most common symptoms of a bladder infection as noted by the CDC are pain when urinating, frequent urination, feeling the urge to pee despite having an empty bladder, bloody urine, and pressure or cramping in the groin or abdomen. 

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

The study reported that very few people suffered from cranberry-related side effects, though Dr. Stephens noted one common complaint was “tummy pain based on the results."

“We also did not find enough information to determine if cranberry products are more or less effective compared with antibiotics or probiotics in preventing further UTIs,” Dr. Stephens added, which means you probably shouldn’t forego a doctor's visit if you’re sick with a UTI.